Question

name:
transcription and translation practice
background information:
your unique body characteristics (traits), such as hair color or blood type, are determined by the
proteins your body produces. proteins are the building block of life - in fact, about 45% of the
human body is made of protein. these organic macromolecules perform a wide range of functions
including body repair, regulation, and protection. proteins are created by bonding groups of amino
acids that are coded for by the nucleotide base sequences (a, t, g, and c) in your dna.
dna is trapped in the nucleus because it is too wide to escape through the small nuclear pores in the
nuclear membrane. this is a big issue for the cell, since proteins are made outside the nucleus in the
cytoplasm. for this reason, a process called transcription occurs. dna passes on its nucleotide base
sequences, or code, to a single - stranded molecule called mrna (messenger). mrna then carries the
code out to the cytoplasm to the ribosomes, the site where proteins are made.
when the mrna reaches the ribosome, the code in the mrna nucleotides are read in groups of
three bases, or codons. it takes three bases to code for a single amino acid. each codon signals
another type of rna, called trna (transfer), to carry a specific amino acid into the ribosome. as
amino acids continue to bond to one another it forms a polypeptide chain that eventually results in
a protein. this process is known as translation and occurs in the cytoplasm where ribosomes are
found.
background questions: answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1. what determines your traits?
2. what is the monomer for proteins?
3. which organelle is responsible for synthesizing proteins?
4. what happens during transcription?
5. where in the cell does transcription take place?
6. what is the function of mrna?
7. how many bases make up a codon?
8. if you have 30 bases, how many amino acids would it code for?
9. what are the base pair rules when going from dna to mrna?

Explanation:

1. The text clearly states that traits are determined by the proteins the body produces, which are coded by DNA nucleotide base sequences.
2. The text mentions proteins are created by bonding groups of amino acids, so amino acids are the monomers.
3. It is stated that ribosomes are the site where proteins are made.
4. The text describes transcription as DNA passing on its nucleotide base sequences to mRNA.
5. Since DNA is in the nucleus and transcription involves DNA, it occurs in the nucleus.
6. mRNA's function is to carry the code (nucleotide base sequences) from DNA to the ribosomes.
7. The text says a codon is three bases.
8. If 3 bases (1 codon) code for 1 amino acid, then 30 bases ÷ 3 = 10 amino acids.
9. In transcription (DNA to mRNA), A pairs with U, T with A, G with C, and C with G.

Answer:

1. Your traits are determined by the proteins your body produces, which are coded for by the nucleotide base sequences in your DNA.
2. The monomer for proteins is amino acids.
3. The organelle responsible for synthesizing proteins is the ribosome.
4. During transcription, DNA passes on its nucleotide base sequences to a single - stranded molecule called mRNA.
5. Transcription takes place in the nucleus.
6. The function of mRNA is to carry the nucleotide base sequences (code) from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
7. Three bases make up a codon.
8. If you have 30 bases, it would code for 10 amino acids.
9. The base pair rules when going from DNA to mRNA are: A pairs with U, T pairs with A, G pairs with C, and C pairs with G.